تحفة النظار في غرايب الامصار وعجايب الاسفار 13.47.12

13.47.12

وكان فوقها طائر يرفرف بجناحيه أكثر الليل، وأظنه كان يخاف فاجتمعنا خائفين وأقمت على تلك الحال سبعة أيام من يوم أسرت، وهو يوم السبت وفي السابع منها وصلت إلى قرية للكفار عامرة، وفيها حوض ماء ومنابت خضر، فسألتهم الطعام، فأبوا أن يعطوني، فوجدت حول بئر بها أوراق فجل، فأكلته، وجئت القرية فوجدت جماعة كفار لهم طليعة، فدعاني طليعتهم فلم أجبه، وقعدت إلى الأرض، فأتى أحدهم بسيف مسلول ورفعه ليضربني به، فلم التفت إليه لعظم ما بي من الجهد، ففتشني فلم يجد عندي شيئا فأخذ القميص الذي كنت أعطيت كمية للشيخ الموكل بي.

I was always, therefore, under the necessity of returning; and thus I passed seven whole days, during which I experienced the greatest horrors. My food was the fruit and leaves of the mountain trees. At the end of the seventh day, however, I got sight of a black man, who had with him a walking-staff shod with iron, and a small water vessel. He saluted me, and I returned the salute. He then said. What is your name? I answered, Mohammed. I then asked him his name: he replied, El Kalb El Karih (i. e. the wounded heart). He then gave me some pulse, which he had with him, and some water to drink. He asked me whether I would accompany him. I did so; but I soon found myself unable to move, and I sunk on the earth. He then carried me on his shoulders; and as he walked on with me, I fell asleep. I awoke, however, about the time of dawn, and found myself at the Emperor’s palace-gate. A courier had already brought the news of what had happened, and of my loss, to the Emperor, who now asked me of all the particulars, and these I told him. He then gave me ten thousand dinars, and furnished me for my return. He also appointed one of his Emirs El Malik Sumbul to present the gift. So we returned to the city of Kul. From this we proceeded to the city of Yuh Burah; and then descended to the shores of a lake called “the water of life.” After this we proceeded to Kinoj, which is but a small town. Here I met the aged Sheikh Salih of Farganah. He was at this time sick.